Forestville Trails:
Groomers were out last night. Bob ran the Tidd Tech from Co Rd 510 to 17k and Nick roll packed from Forestville trailhead out to 17k on the Noque and Animoosh. The base is quite thin but solid. The lower section between the trailhead and the powerlines are especially thin. The powerlines have just enough snow to avoid taking your skis off if you pick your way through. West of the powerlines the base is edge to edge and skiable even under the hemlock groves. The major hills at 20k and 22k have a couple of exposed rocks so take care on the downhills. The “Mead Hills Bypass” section is excellent except for the un-skiable rugged and partially bare three major hills at the east end of the bypass. Classic tracks are nonexistent. All that being said, skiing is very good.
Way Too Long Grooming Report: A great 18th century grooming report writer (often mis-quoted) pointed out how “…the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards…” was proof of a loving god, so too is snow right after a thaw. But for our nightly dusting of lake effect snow, skiing would be “to-win-a-bet” skiing. If you didn’t ski the last three days you missed some great conditions. Each night after the thaw, our trails received about an inch of fine lake effect dusting. Each night’s dusting was just enough to give the next day a fresh smooth surface. You could still see the ice rut artifacts through the dusting, but you couldn’t feel them. It was like surfing a foil board over chop; it feels like glass. If only we could schedule one inch of fine snow each night; it’s better than grooming. The skiing is as good as if groomed and it burns zero fossil fuel.
Saux Head Trails: I expect a mix of ice and bare spots until more snow.
Fit Strip: I expect a mix of ice and bare spots until more snow.
Snow Bike “North Trails” I expect a mix of ice and bare spots until more snow.
Snow Bike “South Trails” I expect a mix of ice and bare spots until more snow.
See you out there,
Sondo